Campus News

Ten freshmen Building Trades students and instructor Jack Jones returned from a week of service in Long Island Feb. 8 where they spent five days helping home owners there prepare to rebuild homes destroyed by Super Storm Sandy last fall.

“This was a rich and rewarding learning experience on many levels,” said Jones. Students worked on four homes which were identified by the New York Annual Conference (NYAC), a mission and relief organization through the United Methodist Church that coordinates volunteers to assist with recovery efforts.

“We were thrilled to have Alfred State students here to help us rebuild,” said NYAC Disaster Response Coordinator Warren Ferry. “Having volunteers who are diligent, open to taking on tough challenges, and who have the skills to use the right safety procedures is a tremendous help. We hope they come back soon!”

The students worked on homes that were between the demolition and reconstruction phase of construction. “This phase of construction is a particularly stressful time for home owners under the best of circumstances,” said Jones, “but the people we were helping had just lost everything. They were very grateful for the work we provided.”

Jones said students were able to see real-world instances of exemplary building work and how certain construction techniques and workmanship helped some structures withstand damage while other methods may have contributed to making structures vulnerable to storm damage.

“Being able to see real examples like this while also experiencing how important safety and quality to the people who live in these buildings was a meaningful experience,” added Jones.

The project was part of the Building Trades lab component and was coordinated by through Alfred State’s Center for Civic Engagement.

Six architectural technology students from Alfred State presented at the annual Appalachian Teaching Project (ATP) conference last month in Washington, DC.

The six seniors presented on the work they did last semester as part of a course called Design Studio 5: Urban Design in which they worked closely with residents and community leaders in the nearby community of Bath. The students created architectural plans for the community which were well received and may be considered for future implementation.

Led by the Consortium of Appalachian Centers and Institutes, the ATP offers students a unique opportunity to conduct active community-based research on their campuses.

Dr. Earl Packard, chair of the Alfred State Mathematics & Physics Department, has been selected to participate in the annual reading and scoring of the College Board’s Advanced Placement Examinations in June. He will be reading the calculus exams for the 10th consecutive year.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies while in high school. Based on their exam performance, students can receive credit and/or advanced placement when they enter college.

In 2011 more than 11,000 AP Readers evaluated more than 3.4 million AP Exams in 34 subjects. Representing many of the finest academic institutions in the world, both high school and collegiate, AP Readers are comprised of professional educators from the United States, Canada, and abroad.

The AP Reading is a unique forum in which an academic dialogue between high school and college educators is both fostered and encouraged.

“The Reading draws upon the talents of some of the finest teachers and professors that the world has to offer,” said Trevor Packer, senior vice president, AP and College Readiness at the College Board. “It fosters professionalism, allows for the exchange of ideas, and strengthens the commitment to students and to teaching. We are very grateful for the contributions of talented educators like Dr. Packard.”

Packard, who joined the Alfred State faculty in 2003, holds a doctorate in mathematics from Tulane University, a Bachelor of Science of Education in mathematics from Mansfield University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Mansfield State College. Prior to coming to Alfred, Packard taught at Kutztown University (PA) and the University of Arkansas, Monticello.

Project-based learning is a cornerstone of the Alfred State culture. When students tackle real-world problems, they learn how to think, not what to think. They can also engage in meaningful civic engagement developing solutions to ongoing community challenges.

A recent example took place in Apalachin, NY, from March 11-16. Mark Payne, assistant professor, Fox 40 WICZ.

Five baccalaureate-level mechanical engineering seniors at Alfred State College, under the guidance of their project advisers, Ray Gleason, instructional support technician, competed in the 11th annual BUV (basic utility vehicle) competition recently in Indianapolis. A BUV is, according to the Institute for Affordable Transportation (IAT) which sponsors the competition, a vehicle to help meet peoples’ everyday needs in developing countries. Besides rural transportation, BUVs also represent a mobile power source for further development. Thanks to a thrown bolt on the shive, the part of the CVT that controls the drive belt, during the Enduro Run the last event, the team was forced to make repairs on the course. Without the correct length bolt to replace it, team member Kevin Sullivan was able to jury rig one with electrical tape that allowed the vehicle to finish the event. However, despite these difficulties, JAARS (formerly the Jungle Aviation and Radio Service), a group that provides technical support such as aviation, information technology, and media for missionary programs, awarded Alfred State the “Customer’s Choice Award” for the best-designed vehicle. It was presented by Mike Smith, the organization’s automotive supervisor/trainer.